Those interested in purchasing health insurance coverage through Covered California that begins on Jan. 1 will have two more days to do so.
The state's health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act is extending its deadline to purchase coverage to midnight Saturday — moving the deadline up from midnight Thursday, according to spokesman James Scullary.
Officials said they extended the deadline due to the high volume of people signing up for insurance.
Covered California released estimates that more than 11,000 consumers signed up on Monday and nearly 14,000 signed up on Tuesday. The two-day total of more than 25,000 new enrollees surpasses the number of consumers who signed up Dec. 12 and 13 last year, when more than 13,000 consumers enrolled, according to a news release.
"We know agents are booked with appointments," Scullary said, adding that officials are doing "everything they can" to help those rushing to meet the deadline.
The surge in enrollment brings this year’s total to more than 153,000 new enrollees, according to the release. In comparison, Covered California had 144,000 people sign up by this time last year.
Consumers who enroll after the Dec. 17 deadline will have their coverage start on either Feb. 1 or March 1.